Black Being
Cedille, 2026
9/10
Fluxtronic, i.e. Nathalie Joachim and Allison Loggins-Hull, come together for these electro-acoustic songs that illuminate the Black Female Experience and welcome the Chicago Sinfonietta and conductor Mei-Ann Chen.
“Angels” opens with a cinematic quality thanks to the pulsating strings and mysterious winds that align with the poetic singing and strong attention to atmosphere that occasionally builds with tension via the well timed drums.
In the middle, the soft ambience of “Water Babies” emits much beauty and grace before the animated gestures erupt into busy and meticulous ideas, while “Moonpies And Stardust” enlists the dreamy flutes amid an often minimal expanse that recruits expressive singing.
“Black Lights” finishes with thundering drums and dramatic strings which rumbles with the sort of energy that could soundtrack an action flick, as the 8 minutes captivates us with its unparalleled dynamics.
A collaborative effort that utilizes chamber nods, orchestra bouts and electronic tinkering, this is a fusion outing like few others that’s enlightening and powerful.
Travels well with: Pacifica Quartet- The Korngold Collection; Karisa Chiu- Home